Obama spreads change message to crowd of 3,000

By Lloyd Dunkelberger
Sun Tallahassee Bureau

Published: Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 12:41 a.m.

ORLANDO — Barack Obama was warmly received Saturday as he used the annual convention of the National Urban League to recall his days as a community organizer in Chicago shortly after he graduated from college.

Obama talked about working for a group of churches to help families “that had been devastated” when the local steel plants closed. He helped set up job training programs for the unemployed and after school programs for the children.

“That work taught me a fundamental truth that has guided me to this day, that change doesn’t come from the top down, it comes from the bottom up,” he said.

It was a message that resonated with the largely minority crowd of 3,000 — about twice the number that John McCain drew for a speech on Friday.

“He seemed to identify strongly with the audience and the audience seemed to identify strongly with him,” said Walter Brame, head of the Urban League in Grand Rapids, Mich. “I’m impressed.”

Obama’s affinity with the group, which has outlined a detailed plan for improving “economic equality” across the country, was no surprise. He attended the league’s annual convention last year and promised to open the White House to the group in 2010, when the Urban League will celebrate its 100th anniversary as an organization.

“In the next administration, I expect the White House will be the people’s house,” he said.

That comment about the “people’s house,” which capped Obama’s 22-minute speech and a brief question-and-answer period, was the favorite part of the Illinois senator’s appearance for Maribeth Norman, an Urban League member and postmaster in West Palm Beach.

“That includes everybody, every ethnicity, race and gender,” Norman said. “I think it was a very powerful speech.”

But Obama’s promise also encapsulates the challenge he faces as the first black candidate to be nominated for the presidency by a major party. Can he bring together a political coalition that successfully mingles racial and class lines?

Just as McCain did the day before him, Obama made no direct reference to racial politics — an issue that has gained prominence in the campaign in recent days as Obama had asserted McCain was trying to scare voters. But the issue was clearly on the minds of many of the Urban League participants.

“I think Obama is a role model, not only for black Americans, but for all citizens,” said Gregory Jackson, 40, who works with the Girl Scouts in New York. He said Obama’s candidacy shows “that the American dream is more than just an experiment — it’s a reality.

“Personally I think he has been trodding very carefully,” Jackson said. “But I think he should own the fact that he is a person of color. He shouldn’t have to walk away from that.”

While saying he did not see racial overtones in McCain’s remarks, Brame, who teachers sociology at a community college, said he was disappointed that McCain used his Urban League appearance to attack Obama over his “style.”

“Charisma and speaking (ability) have been an attribute until now,” Brame said.

“I think the focus ought to be on the issues that this country faces and not comparing the senator with movie stars, Moses and Charlton Heston,” Brame said, referring to McCain ads that accuse Obama of being a “celebrity” like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, and an Internet ad that calls Obama “the One” while comparing him to Heston’s movie portrayal of a Biblical character who parted the Red Sea.

Obama also made a reference to the attacks.

“We face serious issues in this election — and we have real differences,” Obama said. “I’m not going to spend time assaulting my opponent’s character. I’m not going to spend time talking about Paris and Britney.”

Obama said he would rather contrast himself with McCain on economic issues, accusing his opponent of wanting to keep tax breaks for “companies that ship jobs overseas.”

“I want to end them and start giving incentives to companies that create jobs here at home,” Obama said.

While Obama has enjoyed extraordinary support among black voters, he has also faced sharp criticism from some traditional civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who say Obama’s message that blacks need to take more personal responsibility is insensitive to their plight.

Obama did not shy away from the personal responsibility message on Saturday. He outlined details for improving education, including calling for a stronger financial role for the federal government in helping poor school districts improve their facilities. But he also said education will not be improved “just by more money.”

“Most of all we’ve got to have parents who are turning off the TV set and putting away the video games, meeting with the teachers and making sure your child is doing the homework and providing the discipline,” Obama said. “All of those things are important.”

Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and a former mayor of New Orleans, said he disagreed with those leaders who have criticized Obama over his personal responsibility message, which Obama highlighted in a Father’s Day speech.

“Being able to sort of talk to people about tough issues is the hallmark of a strong leader,” Morial said. “Sometimes we do hear from leaders things that we don’t want to hear because they may be challenging our actions, our conduct, our behavior.”

Morial said his organization has advocated similar messages for all parents. “I think it’s the right thing to do to challenge ourselves to be better at that,” he said.